Happy Birthday Bonka Don!

Today my dad turns 79 years old. His wife, Jill, planned a BIG surprise party for him. He had no idea what she was up to. He is wearing a suit because he thought they were headed to do their usual temple worker assignment. Jill just "needed to drop something off" at Ammon's house on their way out. Dad was shocked that we were all there waiting! Jill planned a 1940's themed party since that was the decade that dad was a kid. It was really fun and she had 40's music playing outside the whole time, during the BBQ, games, etc.

Logan and Ellie with Bonka Don.

A few good men......My two brothers and my dad. (Fun fact: In a family of seven girls and only two boys, I landed right between the two boys. And as Ammon mentioned at the party, that little fun fact also meant I got teased more by these brothers than any other girl did!) 

Jill had old-fashioned party games planned, like games they would have played at a party in the 1940's.
There was the tug-o-war.

And sack racing. (FYI, family members, you gotta click on the picture to see Bailee up close...top right hand picture. So fun!)

And the three-legged race. Ellie and Ada won. Nate made sure they did their victory salute! By the way, Nate had a blast with all these younger cousins.

Jill also had a fishing pond planned for the kids. They each "caught" a bag of goodies with retro toys like slinkies, harmonicas, and sets of marbles. She had asked us all a few weeks early to send her letters and pictures for a memory book for dad. I think he really loved it! Logan and Ellie made him pages with drawings, a note, photos of them with Bonka, and a few of their memories with him. I wrote a list of "Things that just say 'Dad'", and even Darin wrote two pages of memories. 

 

Dad and Jill with 14 of the 15 grand kids who were at the party. 14 more grand kids and the 9 great-grand kids were missing, as well as Shari and Amy, and all the spouses of the missing. We missed you all!!!

Clint and Cole were so funny for the pictures! Clint was trying to give Ada loves, and Cole was sporting a pretty stylin' outfit with the onesie and necklace!

 

Awesome party! Thanks Jill! Happy birthday dad!!